Cost of energy: revolt and mobilization at the Cité Amouroux in Toulouse
Unable to pay a gas bill that has increased by 285%, the inhabitants of the Cité Amouroux, in Toulouse, create a collective to defend themselves and renegotiate their contract.
This Saturday morning, January 14, the small premises adjoining the Cité Amouroux, northeast of Toulouse, was not large enough to contain the co-owners and their anger that has been brewing since last December. At Christmas time, during the call for funds from the charges, they noticed an exponential increase in their amount, linked to the soaring price of gas.
“Instead of €602 per quarter, I received a bill for €1,640 for the next three months”, observes Françoise* who still cannot believe it. “I decided not to pay for the car in addition to the exorbitant cost, my heating does not work. I’ve called Dalkia, our energy supplier, seven times now and they haven’t dealt with my problem. It was 15.8° at my place before the heating was turned on and it is 16.5° now”. An observation shared by many co-owners, some of whom do not pay either because they do not have the means.
After contacting a lawyer, the co-owners decided to mobilize and take action to renegotiate their energy contract.
“At first we are creating a collective that will allow us to unite our forces and our demands”, explains Marie. “The objective today is to define priorities and formulate our requests with our ADL real estate trustee. We also want to point out his lack of advice and information”. Several co-owners had the feeling during the last general meeting of being faced with a fait accompli. “Some voted for the proposed budget because they were afraid that their heating and hot water would be cut off, given the comment that it was presented,” says Florian.
Present at this meeting, Anne Stambach-Terrenoir, MP for the constituency, assured the co-owners of her support. “I will write a letter to ADL and I can be presented at your side during a visible action if you wish” informed the elected official. “Bravo for your organization, you must remain united and make all the inhabitants aware of your cause”.
A demonstration in front of the premises of Dalkia and ADL Immobilier is concerned. Today, neither the energy supplier nor the trustee could be reached. Only Dalkia’s breakdown service was offered by the regional management’s voice server.
*All first names have been changed at the request of those described.